Thoughts on Blems

I have no problem buying blems-- never had one that had a functional issue, just cosmetic. The warranty issue doesn't bother me much either. ZT 0200 for $75 or composite Leek for $29 if I give up the warranty? OK by me. Kai still sends out parts and screws, so I'm not completely high and dry. They even still offer complementary sharpening on blems. :thumbup:
 
I have a great selection and variety of quality knives that I would not have been able to afford if they were not seconds/blems. I've bought over 12 of them and with one exception the blems are nearly imperceptible. The exception has a slight hang-up while opening the blade, but can still be opened by adding some thumb pressure. Some other knives I've saved big bucks on are discontinued models. I have some knives in the $400 retail range that cost me slightly more than $100 each. Cold Steel is on of my favorite suppliers for factory seconds. Ask them for their Special Projects catalogs.
 
Never bought a blem, but I'd definitely feel better if I could hold one in hand before purchasing. Lateboyscout posted a youtube review of a Kershaw Blur blem that had a problem with the liner lock. Not sure how common that is, or if KAI would repair it, but it made me wonder. If the damage is advertised as only cosmetic, I guess I'd be all for saving the $, otherwise I'd be sceptical.
 
If it's a user, then it's fine. Cosmetic blem hurts nothing. OTOH, if you intend to resell it at some point, then you might as well buy the "real" article. Your net ending cost will be about the same.
I have one blem; a Kershaw JunkYardDog v2.2 that I use for digging in the yard. It's a great knife. It is, by far, the cheapest knife I've purchased in years, but I really like it for its special purpose.
 
Before buying a blem, make sure the price is actually lower than the first quality one. Lots of good deals out there, so don't assume the blem is at the best price.


But I like and buy them.
 
It just depends. If it is a product no longer in production, I would consider buying a blem. I have seen Kershaw blems that I would consider better than some things their QC passed as first rate.

The other people are correct. Brand, blem and customer service all play a role.
 
I went to the Kershaw sale this past year and I got 450$ worth in items. Funny story on 2 of the blurs I got actually..My mom drove me all night just to get to the sale love you mom. I ran in after sleeping on the sidewalk in a tent overnight and I was one of the first people in line so I had the upper hand. I saw plenty of blurs and all the sudden I see these bronze colored ones and the Kershaw employee says we have some elmax blurs cheap and I see they are elmax blurs priced at 29$ bucks! All the sudden this guy runs over and slides the whole box of elmax blurs into his cart and ones left in the corner. I grab that one plus I already had one in my had so I got two XD

None of this makes sense sorry for my lack of english^ It's 5 in the morning and I'm awake lol. Here's a pic of the knives I got.

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Yalius said:
I have no problem buying blems-- never had one that had a functional issue, just cosmetic. The warranty issue doesn't bother me much either. ZT 0200 for $75 or composite Leek for $29 if I give up the warranty? OK by me. Kai still sends out parts and screws, so I'm not completely high and dry. They even still offer complementary sharpening on blems. :thumbup:
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The biggest issue on a blem Leek for me is they don't offer the $10 blade replacement. Of all my knives this is the only one I don't "hard" use. Even though mine is not a blem and I can get the blade replaced I don't wanna break it from doing something out of its limitations
 
I think they're great. My first high end knife was a ZT 0200 blem, had a very small scratch on the blade but was otherwise prestine. Recently I bought a set of Flytanium scales for my 51, they are perfectly functional, sexy as hell, and due to the blemish (the milling on one handle was messed up) I could actually afford them. To me companies are doing a solid for their customers offering discounted blems. You get a fully funtional knife for a fraction of the cost, maybe something you couldn't possibly afford otherwise. Who knows? But I love em.
 
No matter how pristine your knife is when you first get it, it's going to get blemished to hell and back as you use it. Might as well buy a pre-blemished blade and get a jumpstart on it.
 
Blems are generally a good deal. IF ANY OF YOU have any BLEM U.S. Currency that you do not want please PM me for a shiping address, to rid your wallet of blem money.
 
I will buy them if they are a good base for mods. Otherwise they bug me. But for a user they are awesome. And in the case of kershaw and zt very rarely can i spot what made them blems.
 
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